National Forest Administration - ROMSILVA, Romania Contact Person: Petrișor VICĂ Project Partner 6 The National Forest Administration (NFA) – Romsilva is managing the state forest that represents almost half of the total forest area in Romania. Romsilva acts under the authority of the Ministry of Waters and Forests and has 41 county departments (forest directorates) and about 300 forest districts. Thus, Romsilva represents the oldest and most stable forest management network in the country, covering almost the whole country. Romsilva also have in its structure 22 park administrations, 17 horse breeding farms and “Posada” Carpathian hunting museum. Romsilva’s main tasks are: - to implement the national forest strategy in state forests; - to ensure the sustainable management, integrity and preservation of the state owned forest stock; - to manage on a contract basis non-state forest areas; - to soundly use timber and non-timber forest products including management of the hunting and fishing areas; - to manage protected areas (national and nature parks, nature and scientific reserves, natural monuments, nature 2000 sites); - to preserve the genetic variability within horse breeding farms. Romsilva has an important role at the national level in order to implement the legislation related to forestry and other sectors strictly dependent on it: water, pollution control (air, water, soil), hazards and disaster prevention (erosion, torrential, flooding, desertification, landslides, fires etc.). The notable achievements in the management of forest ecosystems and thus in reducing the destructive effects of external factors (heavy rain, drought, wind, fire, etc.) was possible only with the involvement of Romsilva’s skilled specialists in forestry sector and other related fields. Thus, in the project context of strengthening the transnational water management and flood risk prevention, this knowledge it is of high importance. Within the project Romsilva will be involved in all WPs of the project making all the required efforts in order to reach the project outcomes. The studies within the project will be conducted in the most vulnerable area on natural disasters in Romania (Putna watershed) and will emphasize the role of forest ecosystems and torrential works/sediment retention works related to water flow and water quality, defining strategic guidelines accordingly. The disturbances (floods, droughts, pollution etc.) in the pilot area will be monitored in order to contribute to the strategy for the protection of water resources. Stakeholders at local, regional and national level, will be involved during the project in order to include their feedback in the strategic guidelines regarding water management and risks and also to disseminate the project results. .